Situation in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region (May 22, 2013)

France condemns the resumption of fighting since May 20 between the M23, the armed group placed under UN sanctions, and the regular Congolese forces, close to Goma in eastern DRC.

It reaffirms its support for the UN mission (MONUSCO), whose primary mandate is to defend the civilian populations in this troubled region, and calls for the swiftest possible deployment of the new intervention brigade, in accordance with resolution 2098, unanimously adopted by the Security Council on March 28.

We reaffirm the urgent need to implement the commitments made under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region signed on February 24 in Addis Ababa.

France welcomes the UN’s mobilization, notably underscored by the imminent visit to the region by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Mr. Kim, President of the World Bank, and Ms. Mary Robinson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region.

We also welcome the organization by the African Union and the UN on May 26 in Addis Ababa of the first meeting of the regional follow-up mechanism for the implementation of the Framework Agreement for the Great Lakes Region.